Board Members

Sally RobertsFOUNDER and Executive Director

Sally Roberts, a 2x World Bronze Medalist and 3x U.S. National Champion founded Wrestle Like A Girl in 2016. She aspires to empower girls through the sport of wrestling and to provide opportunities to maximize their potential. Sally earned her B.A. in psychology from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, an M.A. in Sport and Performance Psychology from University of the Rockies, and Certification in Nutrition from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

Memberships include the United States Youth Sport Development Working Group and the Association of Applied Sport Psychology ("AASP"). She has addressed the United Nations, U.S. Department of State, and the International Olympic Committee on the topics of Sports Diplomacy and Gender Equality.

KATHERINE SHAISecretary

Katherine was raised in a wrestling family. Her father was a 2x Olympian in wrestling, her mother a successful gymnastics coach, and her sister a fellow National Team member in wrestling. Katherine is a 5x National Team member, 2x WCWA National Champion, 2x 3rd-place finisher at the Olympic Trials, 2008 University World Champion, and multi-time Senior National finalist. Katherine founded the educational blog platform for girls and women in sport is called LuchaFIT. She has a strong passion for developing women’s wrestling and highlighting the capabilities all female athletes exude.

TELA Bacherboard member

2004 Olympian, and 3X National Team Member for Team USA’s Women’s Wrestling Team. She earned her undergraduate in psychology from Trinity College and her certification in nutrition from Institute For The Psychology Of Eating. Her passion is helping develop the whole person as they explore athletics and empower all athletes to be the best version of themselves possible. Tela now homesteads back in Homer, Alaska with her husband and their 3 children.

Emma RandallBoard Member

Emma is a current member of Team USA’s coaching staff, and was a coach for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Emma earned her B.A. and M.S. in Sports Psychology from Lock Haven University. She is the Developmental National Team coach for USA Wrestling in the Cadet and Junior age divisions and in 2016 earned her USA Wrestling Gold level coaching certification. She is one of 68 coaches to hold that certification and the only woman. She is an avid advocate and is dedicated to the growth and development of females in sports.

Chad shilsonboard member

As the MN USA Wrestling/MN STORM Girls' and Women's Director & Coach, Chad is all in when it comes to increasing opportunities for our female wrestlers. He's no stranger to hard work as he has completed over 100 marathons and ultra marathons. Chad wrestled collegiately for NCAA DIII Augsburg College where he also earned his undergraduate degree. He has been a financial advisor for the past two decades and is a Senior Vice President with RBC Wealth Management. Chad has been married to Margaret Shilson for more than 20 years. Their son and daughter are very active in wrestling as well.

amy zirneklisdeputy Director

Amy brings her decade of sports management experience developed in the world of professional bicycle racing to Wrestle Like a Girl, and supports the organization in strategy and development. Amy’s passion for empowering youth and increasing opportunities for women in sport has grown organically from her collegiate Division I volleyball experience and throughout her professional experience of assisting in managing the U.S. Women’s National Road Cycling Team. Amy is currently a Manager of Athlete Relations at USANA Health Sciences, earned her MBA in Finance and International Business from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and is the happy mother of son Kintaro.

Rick Gillit

Treasurer

Richard is dedicated to his community and family which he shows this through his multiple roles on various Non- Profit Boards. These board include Atlas Prep School, Citizen Soldiers Connection, Regional Building Department, Wrestle Like a Girl and other charities that help to grow the community and it’s youth. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family and on occasion enjoys developing his knowledge on Cigars.

Wrestle Like a Girl is a not for profit, charitable organization formed under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code: EIN 81-2428825. Donations to Wrestle Like a Girl are tax-deductible as charitable contributions for US federal income tax purposes. There are no donation limits or restrictions on contributions to Wrestle Like a Girl.